VS Midi Lathe Conversion Kit

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ssajn

ssajn

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Milwaukee, Wi, USA.
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this product.
I have a Jet 1014 (non-VS)and would like to convert it to run about 250 rpm. I'd like to try thread chasing and need the slower speed. The specs on this kit claim the slowest speed at 650 but I was told by PSI techs that if I go inside the control box I can 'tweak' it to run any speed I want down to 0.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLVSKIT.html

Dave
 
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ssajn said:
I was wondering if anyone has any experience with this product.
I have a Jet 1014 (non-VS)and would like to convert it to run about 250 rpm. I'd like to try thread chasing and need the slower speed. The specs on this kit claim the slowest speed at 650 but I was told by PSI techs that if I go inside the control box I can 'tweak' it to run any speed I want down to 0.

http://www.pennstateind.com/store/TCLVSKIT.html

Dave
Click to expand...

I'd think that if you could do it, they would have given you instructions on how to do it right? I haven't opened up the control box on my PSI VS lathe, but unless it's got an adjustable potentenometer in it, I'd say it's doubtful.
 
An inexpensive trick you can try. Get a double switch box, a dimmer switch, power cord, and receptacles put them together then plug the lathe into the receptacle, start the lathe and adjust the dimmer switch to get the RPM you need. I have used this with other motors without any problems.
Mark
 
While the motor goes down to 650 and you can tweak the low speed pot somewhat, your real improvement will be with the changes in pully diameters -- there were three wheels on the the motor I have (those are 15 mm shafts so are not a common size) - you get to pick the three of 6) wheels you want to use on your jet.

This is a cheap motor and will lose torque with speed. Use the pulleys to lower speed and keep the power up.

(P.S. Dimmers work on universal motors and will further reduce the torque on a dc motor by dropping the incoming voltage. They will not work successfully on most AC motors other than the universal motors like sewing machines, routers and foredom style tools.)
 
I have the VS system / motor on my Rikon. It does well for pens. I didn't know about the tweaking to the speed, that sounds great.

For pens, I like it; but for bowls above 8 inches, it is too weak on torq as everyone said. The switch gives fits at times and several people have complained about it. Cleaning it (switch) fixes the problem.

AS to VS, I like it much better than the belt changing. For me, I change speeds several times during the making of a pen, one speed for turning, one or two for sanding and as slow as possible for finish application. I can't go back to belt changing.
 
Last edited:
seawolf said:
An inexpensive trick you can try. Get a double switch box, a dimmer switch, power cord, and receptacles put them together then plug the lathe into the receptacle, start the lathe and adjust the dimmer switch to get the RPM you need. I have used this with other motors without any problems.
Mark
Click to expand...


I'm not great with wiring, but would like to see some kinda of plans / schematics on making this idea. I tried one other time but failed. I may not have ran the wires correctly.
 
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